June 2018


Summer is one of the best times of year to enjoy the outdoors. It is a fantastic season to spend quality family time outside making memories. It’s a chance to be a living example to our children teaching them about respecting and appreciating Creation. We need to take our own words seriously by living out the principles of care and stewardship for all of Creation or we can hardly expect our children and grandchildren to. Summertime affords many opportunities to do some fun activities that will teach the principles of Creation stewardship. Here are some ideas from the book 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do To Save The Earth by The EarthWorks Group.

1) When you hike, visit a park, or even walk down your street, take a plastic bag for each person. Have a contest to see who can pick up the most pieces of trash. The winner gets an ice cream cone.
2) Use daylight to light your house. Turn off the lights and leave them off while it’s daylight. Open all the curtains and blinds to let as much light in as possible. Encourage the kids to play and read near large windows where there is plenty of daylight.
3) Grow some plants. You can plant a garden or if you don’t have room plant in a pot and put it in the window. A good option to start with is an herb like basil, parsley, or chives. You can eat what you grow. Small flowers are easy too. Just get some seeds and plant them in an old food can or a small pot. You can get seeds, potting soil, and fertilizer at a plant nursery or hardware store. Follow the instructions on the seed packet. For added fun name your plants.
4) Make a homemade bird feeder by hanging pine cones rolled in peanut butter from a string in your yard. You can also hang orange peels. Be sure to hang them near a window.
5) Make your own bird house out of a recycled 1/2-gallon carton. Rinse it out well then let it air out for a few weeks prior to construction. When it is well aired out, put a round hole in one side 3 1/2 inches in diameter. Decorate your bird house. Place some dried grass in the bottom for a nest. Use a string or wire to secure it to the trunk of a tree.

When outside this summer remember to stay protected from the sun with clothing and sunscreen. A recent study by the Environmental Working Group showed that two-thirds of sunscreen products tested contain ingredients that are harmful to both humans and the environment. They listed several that are cheap and safe for all ages and the environment such as Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection 50 SPF sunscreen. They noted that mineral based sunscreens are a safer option. They also warned that sunscreens that claim an SPF rating greater than 50 have not been found to provide any more protection compared to those with 50 SPF. Spending extra money on these is unnecessary. Checkout their latest sunscreen recommendations at www.ewg.org.


Written by David F. Garner

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